Sol 58 Update on Curiosity from USGS Scientist Ken Herkenhoff: The Right Scuff

4 October 2012

The first wheel scuff went well, so we planned APXS (elemental chemistry) and MAHLI (close-up imaging) of the floor and sidewall of the scuff, as well as an undisturbed area just to the right of the scuff. These data should allow us to decide whether the ripple is suitable for the scooping using CHIMRA. We also planned REMS wind observations during the afternoon, the time of day we expect to deliver samples to the analytical instruments inside the rover body. High winds would make sample transfer difficult, as small soil grains might be blown away as they are dropped into the sample inlets.